BOTSWANA TENNIS ASSOCIATION HOSTS AFRICAN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFICIAL DINNER

BY:Letsile Matlhodi

GABORONE;After five days of tough competition at Notwane club tennis courts the Botswana Tennis Association yesterday evening held an official dinner at Avani hotel in Gaborone to officially welcome the participating countries.

Around 13 countries took part in the competition which started on the 5th of November this year and are expected to end on the 10th November 2018. Speaking on the podium was the BTA president Dr. Khaulani Fichani who expressed excitement for having been given the opportunity to host the championships, he explained that the games gave the local team an international experience which he believes will boost the confidence of the local team going forward in their upcoming games. He continued to thank Batswana for rallying behind the local team and everyone who came around to watch the games.

The dinner was blessed to have the presence of Yusuf Dada, the patron of tennis in Botswana also a representative from motor center which is the main sponsor of the competition. Motor center gave the association a cheque amounting to hundred and thirty thousand one hundred and fifty pula.

Mr Tarak Cherif, the president of CAT was also around to give his speech, Cherif told those who attended the dinner and encouraged the media to cover tennis games and show support by attending each and every game played. He explained that this on it’s own will attract sponsors and international coverage as well.
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For his part,the permanent secretary to the ministry of youth empowerment sports and culture Mr Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo concluded the night by applauding secondary education for the continuous support in training students in sports codes noting that everyone who plays any sports could it be football or tennis it all started at secondary school.

He went on to thank BTA for hosting the games and their efforts to promote tennis and raising the Botswana flag high.
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The continental tourney continues today with team events as order of play for today.